Chin-rest for violins.



F. W. BECKER.

CHIN REST FOR VIOLINS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1913. RENEWED APR. 8, 1916.

1,204,642. PatentQd Nov. 14, 1916.

FREDERICK W. BECLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CHIN-REST FOR VIOLINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. '14., 1916.

Application filed May 20, 1913, Serial No. 768,726. Renewed April 8, 1916. Serial No. 90,000.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK IV. BECKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chin- Ptests for Violins, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chin rests used on violins and similar musical instruments.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a chin rest of light construction which is adjustable to suit the convenience of the player.

Another object is to provide a construction which ma}. be securely clamped to the violin or other instrument to which it is applied.

In carrying out my invention I form the chin plate with two spaced, preferably tapering, feet, in which are secured the threaded rods engaged by the usual turnbuckles. To the bottom of these feet may be attached by suitable means any desired number of washers or other spacing members, the nu ber of which may be varied to regulate the height and the angularity of the chin plate. The latter is thus adjustably supported at two spaced points, assuring a firm clamping action and at the same time forming a construction which is extremely light.

Further objects and advantages will more fully appear from the detailed description, and the features of novelty in construction and combination of parts will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing illustrating this invention, Figure 1 is an elevation and 2 is a side view of my improved chin rest shown as clamped to the sound box of a violin. Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 38 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an elevation illustrating the chin plate adjusted at an angle to the sound box of the violin. Fig. 5 is an elevation illustrating the chin rest adjusted at its lowest position with the pins and all the washers removed. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation illustrating a modified form of adjustment.

Referring in detail to Figs. 1 to 5, the chin plate 10 is of substantially a uniform thickness and has projecting from its base two preferably conical shaped feet 11, in which are secured the threaded rods 12, the latter having mounted thereon the turnbuckles 13,

which also engage the threaded rods ll fixed to the bottom plate or jaw lhe feet 11 are each formed with a socket 16 in which is inserted a pin 17 provided with a padded head 18. Between this head and the base of the foot are mounted upon the pin a plurality of washers 19, the number of which may be varied to secure the desired adjustment of the chin plate with respect to the sound box. The base of each foot is also formed preferably with a countersunk recess 20, in which is fixed a pad of felt or other suitable material 21. Thus for the lowest adjustment of the chin plate the pin 17 and all the washers may be removed, and the feet may then rest directly upon the top of the sound box, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. a an adjustment is shown wherein the chin plate 10 may be disposed at an angle with reference to the sound box, the number of the washers upon the pin 17 being varied to secure the desired angularity.

In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 6, the feet 11 have sockets in the bases thereof, in which are attached internally threaded bushings 25. Threaded pins 26 engage the threaded bushings and are adjustable to any required degree to vary the height and angularity of the chin plate. The base of each foot is also formed with a countersunk recess 27, in which is attached the pad 28 for engaging the sound box at the lowest adjustment of the chin plate, at which time the pins are removed, as in the other form described.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a chin rest which is extremely light in construction, inasmuch as the plate itself may be comparatively thin, while the threaded rods and the adjusting pins are secured in the two comparatively small feet projecting from the bottom of the plate. By the tapered formation of the feet a maximum strength is obtained with a minimum amount of material. Moreover, by clamping the chin rest to the sound box at two spaced points a more certain and efficient clamping action is obtained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A chin rest for musical instruments, comprising a chin plate of substantially uniform thickness, and a pair of spaced feet projecting from the bottom thereof, each provided with a longitudinal socket, pins each having a padded head held in said sockets, rods attached to said feet, and means engaging said rods for clamping said feet against the sound box of the instrument.

2. A chin rest for musical instruments, comprising a chin plate of substantially uniform thickness, and a pair of spaced conical feet projecting from the bottom thereof, each provided with a longitudinal socket, pins each having a padded head held in said sockets, rods pivotally engaging said feet, and means engaging said rods for clamping said feet against the sound box of the instrument.

3. A chin rest for musical instruments, comprising a chin plate of substantially uniform thickness, and a. pair of spaced feet projecting from the bottom thereof, said feet having countersunk recesses in the base thereof, pads secured in said recesses, rods attached to said feet, means engaging said rods for clamping said feet against the sound box of the instrument, and for raising the chin plate vertically and tilting the same obliquely, washers for insertion between the pads and sound box to increase the height of thefeet, and means to render the built-up feet rigid and proof against lateral stress.

4:. A chin rest for musical instruments, comprising a chin plate of substantially uniform thickness provided with spaced feet projecting from the bottom thereof, there being a socket in each foot, a pin havinga padded head adjustably mounted within the socket, the head thereof being adapted to contact the top of the sound box, rods secured to the feet, and means engaging the 11;ods for clamping the plate to the sound 5. A chin rest for musical instruments, comprising a chin plate of substantially uniform thickness provided with spaced feet projecting from the bottom thereof, there being a socket in each foot, a pin having a padded head adjustably mounted within the socket, the head thereof being adapted to contact the top of the sound box, a plurality of washers mounted on the pin, rods secured to the feet, and means engaging the gods for clamping the plate to the sound 6. A chin plate consisting of a plate having a substantially uniform thickness and shaped to accommodate the chin of a person, a pair of spaced tapered feet projecting from the bottom thereof provided with a longitudinal socket adapted to be clamped to the sound box of a musical instrument, pins each having a padded head held in said socket and readily operable adjusting means whereby the chin plate may be both raised vertically and tilted angularly, said means serving also to clamp the chin plate to the sound box. I

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 15th day of May, A. D. 1913.

FREDERICK WV. BECKER.

Witnesses:

MINNIE S. MILLER, SYLVIA L. S'roR'rI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

